Much time has passed since I had seen him last. He has not changed much—the same white flowing beard, the thick dense eyebrows, the clever eyes twinkling from behind the black-rimmed glasses. Only his movements have become a little slower and the wrinkles of his face have deepened.
Seventy-four year old Rabbi Yitzhak Meir Levin has served all his adult life in leading positions in Agudath Israel. For many years now, he has been the world leader of the movement. He was a member of the first coalition governments of Israel, and is the chief spokesman of his party in the Knesset.
The son-in-law of the late Gerrer Rebbe and the brother-in-law of the present Rebbe, he is also a central figure among Gerrer Hasidim.
He is deeply respected, not solely by his followers, but as the last prominent figure of religious Polish Jewry, once the crown of the Jewish people; one of the few living links to a great tradition and past. He evokes a sentimental attachment even among those who do not subscribe to his party’s views. For many, it is comforting to see in the parliament of Israel, a man who, not only in his spiritual outlook, but also in his outer appearance and garb, personifies the large religious masses of pre-war Poland.
When I visited him at the home of Reb Mendel Abowitz in Boro Park, Brooklyn, I had no need to look for the number on 53rd Street. Seeing a handful of Hassidic young men loitering in front of a building, I knew that I had arrived at my destination. In the ante-chamber were several Gerrer Hasidim waiting to be received by Reb Itche Meyer, as Rabbi Levin is affectionately called by his followers.
A short time before I interviewed Rabbi Levin, he officiated at a wedding. Two Gerrer Hasidim married off their children and with Rabbi Levin in town, it was only natural that he would be honored with performing the marriage ceremony.
Reb Mendel’s is a typical home of a Gerrer Hasid. A picture of the late Gerrer Rebbe graces the large bookcase in the dining room. The table was covered with books, conspicuous among them the Chiddushei Harim and the Sfat Emet.
My second son, Shmuel Aron, 12, accompanied me. Levin had been his Sandek. When the rabbi saw the boy, he embraced him, asked him whether he should speak to him in Hebrew or Yiddish and inquired about his studies.
We talked about the June War and its aftermath.
“Let me tell you of my feelings and thoughts. I have spoken about them in the Knesset and in public gatherings,” Rabbi Levin said.
“What happened to us several months ago were miracles. Yes, miracles in the true sense of the word. The whole Arab world, armed to the teeth with the most modern of equipment, united to destroy us. The world stood idly by, expecting a repetition of the World War II massacre of Jewry. There were even some who had already prepared eulogies for us…
“And then six days of fighting saw the Arab armies defeated and Arab armor smashed. There was the self-sacrifice and heroism of our youth—but above all it was the hand of G-d!
“There is nobody in Israel today, who does not know in his heart that it was G-d who had wrought these miracles to save our people. Men and women who had been indifferent to religion, awoke to the presence of G-d. People who had never been to a synagogue, took prayer books in their hands…”
The recognition of Divine intervention and the awakening of religious feeling in Israel present a challenge to religious Jewry. “It is up to us to deepen the awakened religious feelings, to keep alive in the conscience of the people the miraculous help of G-d which we have seen with our own eyes.” Rabbi Levin continued, “Now we can and must bring back our brethren to religious observance. We have our people! We must win now the battle for the physical survival of the spirit!”
Several years ago Agudath Israel established a network of adult Torah classes throughout the country. In recent months the classes have attracted more and more participants. Rabbi Levin emphasized that Agudath Israel dare not content itself in this great hour with this achievement. “We must embark on a widespread campaign of religious enlightenment. We must address ourselves in writing and by word of mouth to all classes of our people. Now is the time to do it.”
During his visit to North America, Rabbi Levin will raise funds for Agudath Israel’s drive for religious enlightenment. He has also appealed to local Jews to immigrate to Israel. “Jews must come now, and as many as possible!” However, he also feels that immigration to Israel, depends in a great measure upon the battle for Torah in the country. Many Jews of Western countries, because of social and economic reasons, hesitate to settle in Israel. Yet Rabbi Levin is sure that in the wake of a great religious awakening, the deep religious and spiritual ties which bind the Jews to Israel will override all other considerations, and Jews, even from prosperous lands, will flock to Israel to find their spiritual fulfillment.
By Tovia Preschel
Jewish Press
December 29, 1967